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Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

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Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)

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Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok is a remarkable feature of the geography and culture of Malaysia. An environmental education center in Sabah, famous for its impressive canopy walkway system and birdwatching opportunities. Located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Steel canopy walkways up to 28 meters high. Over 300 bird species recorded. This protected area is part of Malaysia's rich wildlife and flora, with tropical rainforests, orangutans, hornbills and mangrove coastlines. Like many notable places in Malaysia, it combines regional character with the legacy of the multicultural Malay-Chinese-Indian society and the tropics. Thus, this place contributes to the diverse profile of Malaysia, between Kuala Lumpur, Borneo, palm oil plantations and tropical rainforest.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr–Jun.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C272627282827272727272727
Rain mm380250208148156194216210230262273359

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
The prominent environmental center is just a short, quick car or taxi ride away from the city of Sandakan in Sabah and is conveniently located right in the immediate vicinity of the famous orangutan rehabilitation center, making it highly accessible.
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Best season
Although the center is widely open all year round, the notably drier season running from March to October is very often best for fully experiencing the dense jungle and the birds on the canopy walkways without suffering frequent, torrential tropical downpours.
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Terrain & paths
Visitors navigate on a brilliant combination of extremely well-maintained steel canopy walkways located high up in the treetops and very clearly signposted, cleared jungle trails on the ground floor, which can get slightly muddy under high humidity conditions.
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What to bring
A very high-quality pair of binoculars for birdwatching is the absolute must-have; add to that comfortable, sure-footed walking shoes, extremely strong insect repellent to combat dense mosquitoes, and a light rain poncho for the inevitably sudden tropical showers.
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Parking
Directly at the extremely well-equipped visitor center, there is a dedicated, sufficiently large and secure parking lot that generally provides ample space for arriving personal cars and large tourist coaches, even during the absolute peak tourist visiting hours.
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Safety
The entire facility is fundamentally designed to be very safe and highly family-friendly; however, visitors should strictly remain on the marked paths, tightly hold the railings of occasionally wet canopy bridges, and protect themselves against jungle leeches.
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Time needed
For a standard walking tour, most visitors plan around three to four hours; however, truly passionate birdwatchers very frequently spend the entire day with absolute ease, starting right from the very early morning until the late afternoon up on the canopy walkways.

Geography

Coordinates
5.86900, 117.94700

Facts

  • An environmental education center in Sabah, famous for its impressive canopy walkway system and birdwatching opportunities.
  • Located within the Federation of Malaysia.
  • Shaped by the tropical monsoon climate of Southeast Asia.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation CentreBorneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre<1 km · NEExplore →
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey SanctuaryLabuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary6 km · NWExplore →
Sandakan Memorial ParkSandakan Memorial Park13 km · NExplore →
Agnes Keith HouseAgnes Keith House19 km · NExplore →
Kinabatangan RiverKinabatangan River51 km · NExplore →
Danum Valley Conservation AreaDanum Valley Conservation Area52 km · SEExplore →
Lahad DatuLahad Datu61 km · NEExplore →
TawauTawau85 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (8)

Kabili Trail Start Point📍 landmark

Marking the entrance to the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, this trailhead leads visitors into a dense habitat famous for its rehabilitated wildlife.

Kabili Monster📍 landmark

This colossal, centuries-old jungle tree, aptly named for its immense girth, stands as a remarkable natural monument along the forest trail.

Sepilok Gaint📍 landmark

Reaching dramatically towards the sky, this massive emergent tree is one of the spectacular botanical giants preserved within the Sepilok reserve.

Bristlehead Tower🌿 nature

Named after a rare endemic bird, this sturdy steel observation tower is a favorite spot for avid birdwatchers scanning the rainforest canopy.

Lakeside Pavilion🏛 museum

A waterside museum pavilion offering exhibits within the rainforest environment.

Hornbill Tower🌿 nature

An observation tower designed specifically for spotting hornbills in the rainforest canopy.

Drongo House🏛 museum

A small museum facility that blends seamlessly into the tropical rainforest environment.

Viewing Platform🌿 nature

An elevated wooden platform providing close-up views of the surrounding wildlife.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the highlight?
The spectacular canopy walkway.
How much time to plan?
At least 2 to 3 hours.
Are there animals?
Yes, many bird species and monkeys.
When is best?
Very early morning at sunrise.
Is there water?
Bring drinking water with you.
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok: where is it located?
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok is located in Malaysia.
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kabili Trail Start Point, Kabili Monster, Sepilok Gaint.
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Jun.
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok: why is it worth visiting?
Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok is a remarkable feature of the geography and culture of Malaysia.
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Nearby cities

Kota Kinabalu — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Kota Kinabalu
The capital of Sabah state, near Mount Kinabalu.
Sandakan — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Sandakan
A city in Sabah, known for its orangutan rehabilitation center.
Tawau — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Tawau
A city in southeastern Sabah, a center for cocoa and palm oil production.
Lahad Datu — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Lahad Datu
A town in Sabah, a center for the palm oil industry.
Tanjung Aru — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Tanjung Aru
A famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, renowned for its spectacular sunsets and soft white sand.
Semporna — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Semporna
The gateway to world-renowned diving sites and home to the Sea Gypsies (Bajau Laut).
Kundasang — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Kundasang
A picturesque highland town in Sabah at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, known for its cool climate.
Mabul Island — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Mabul Island
A paradise for macro divers and a picturesque fishing village off the coast of Sabah.
🗺️
Bangau
A picturesque village in northern Sabah, near the 'Tip of Borneo', featuring stunning beaches.
Menggatal — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Menggatal
A suburb of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, combining tradition with modern education and coastal proximity.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
A group of five idyllic islands just off Kota Kinabalu, ideal for water sports and relaxation.

History & landmarks

Sipadan Island — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Sipadan Island
Malaysia's only oceanic island, rising from an extinct volcanic cone.

Nature

Kinabatangan River — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Kinabatangan River
The second longest river in Malaysia, its banks showcasing one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Southeast Asia.
Papar Coast — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Papar Coast
A coastal region in Sabah, known for its long sandy beaches and sunsets over the South China Sea.

More places

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
A center in Sepilok, Sabah, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the sun bear, the world's smallest bear species.
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
A privately-run sanctuary in Sabah that offers visitors a unique chance to observe proboscis monkeys in their natural mangrove habitat.
Sandakan Memorial Park — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Sandakan Memorial Park
A memorial park dedicated to the prisoners of war who perished during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II.
Agnes Keith House — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Agnes Keith House
A historic house in Sandakan, Sabah.
Danum Valley Conservation Area — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Danum Valley Conservation Area
A relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest area in Sabah, considered one of the best protected rainforest areas in the world.
🗺️
Sahabat Resettlement Plateau
A large land development scheme managed by FELDA, focusing on oil palm cultivation.
Semporna Islands Park — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
Semporna Islands Park
A marine park off the coast of Sabah, renowned for its exceptional underwater life and as one of the world's top diving locations.
FELDA Sahabat Palm Oil Plantation — Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok (Malaysia)
FELDA Sahabat Palm Oil Plantation
One of the largest palm oil plantation settlements in the world, illustrating the importance of the palm oil industry to the Malaysian ec…